[SOLVED] Installing legal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and restoring files

Oh dear. Looks like the situation is rather more complex, if you have an OEM installed.
I am not sure on that. I don't think you can change an OEM key to a full legit key so easily. You would probably have to find a hack. But maybe someone will have an idea on it.
An alternative migh be for you to partition your hard disk and install a legit copy on the other partition. This will automatically create a dual boot. You can then use the easy transfer method to bring some of the data across (not always 100% succesful) or, at your leisure, commence using your new installation and reinstall your software as needed. You will then be in a position to copy and paste a great deal of the private data you have on the old installation.

In surfing for an answer, I found the solution to Manually change the product key from DOS.



1. Click on Start and type 'cmd' in the search box.

2. This will open the Command Prompt.

3. Now type the following text line on the command prompt blinking cursor:
slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
NOTE: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX should be your NEW Product Key.

4. Press 'Enter' to change the Product Key.

5. Type slmgr.vbs -ato

6. This will activate Windows 7 with your NEW Product Key.


I hope this helps.
Ed

That's great! Never knew that. Glad you got it solved.

Even though I was able to input the new legit Product Key, when I dl the latest updates, the "not authentic copy of Win 7" appeared. I then did an update install to overwrite my Win 7 files without doing a 'clean' install. After several hours of installation time, when the system rebooted with the latest updates installed the "not authentic" message reappeared.

I suppose that the only way I will be able to solve this issue is to reformat my boot drive, do a 'clean' install, then reinstall all of my programs, reset my desktop, copy data files, etc. One of my biggest objections to that is trying to salvage my email, contacts list, and other settings in Outlook 2007. I have never been able to recover this information in the past, even using the procedure recommended by MS.

Oh well, lesson learned about trying to save a few $$$.

Have a good one!
Ed

After you enter the new key you need to Activate it; that should remove the not authentic error. Type Activate in the start-search bar.

I am not certain, but I believe that hack ( officially documented by MS) will not allow you to put a genuine ultimate key into an OEM product. But certainly worth a try.

Regarding Outlook 2007, have you used Outlook 2007 to export a copy of your data, contact list, etc, and saved that file to a flash drive? After you finish reinstalling the new system you should be able to import them, that's the entire reason the export function exists.

I have to second this... OEM installs have very tight rules applied to them, and that may be why it isn't allowing a different key to be used.

At this point since you are not sure where you downloaded the source install media from, a clean install sounds the most prudent and safest route to go. Technet keys are NOT OEM, so I am pretty sure what the guy gave you was not a Technet key.

After following the advice of Trainable Man listed above in this blog, I was able to activate the new install and resolved my issues. I can now click on 'Start', right click on 'computer' on the right dialog window, click properties, then scroll down to the bottom of the 'System' window. It tells me that Windows is now activated, and the "Genuine Windows" logo appears.

Thanks to all you guys for your help.